Minister of Justice Jeong Sung-ho submitted his resignation today (the 18th).

An official from the Ministry of Justice stated, "Minister Jeong formally submitted his resignation to the presidential office and the Ministry of Personnel Management this afternoon in accordance with relevant procedures."

It is reported that Minister Jeong cited health reasons in his resignation letter, along with the explanation that "major legislation related to prosecution reform has been concluded, and it is desirable for the new criminal justice system to be completed under new leadership."

Minister Jeong has previously hinted at the possibility of stepping down on multiple occasions in public settings.

During a plenary session of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee of the National Assembly on the 27th of last month, when asked about his intent to express an intention to resign, he replied, "Shouldn't new wine be put into new wineskins?"

However, the presidential office had previously drawn a line regarding Minister Jeong's remarks, stating that it did not constitute an expression of resignation.

During a closed-door Cabinet meeting on the 4th, it was made known that President Lee Jae-myung told Minister Jeong to "hang in there," leading to interpretations that the president was effectively discouraging him from resigning.

If Minister Jeong's resignation is accepted, Vice Minister of Justice Lee Jin-su will act as the head of the ministry.

(Photo provided by the Presidential Office Press Photographers Association, Yonhap News)